SPEEDWAY supporters turned their stadium into a "sea of red" in support of injured star Gary Havelock.

SPEEDWAY supporters turned their stadium into a "sea of red" in support of injured star Gary Havelock.

Redcar Bears fans last night made the gesture in tribute to the former world champion, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a horrifying crash last Thursday.

It came as his Redcar Bears team took to the track for their Premier League Cup match against Scunthorpe Scorpions last night.

The 43-year-old Eaglescliffe-born former England captain and Gazette Sportsperson of the Year broke 14 bones in the accident and also suffered nerve damage plus a slight bleed on the brain.

Messages of support from well-wishers have flooded in - including one on Twitter from ex-world superbike champion Carl Fogarty - and supporters were eager to mark the first Bears meeting since with their own tribute.

They did so by asking fans to wear red on the terraces and in the stands for last night’s meeting at South Tees Motorsports Park in South Bank - and they responded in style.

Red was chosen as it is the club’s colour - and also that of Havvy’s beloved Boro, whose crest he proudly displays on his race suit.

The “sea of red” idea came from fan Brian Nunn, 30, a security officer from North Ormesby. He said: “We wanted to show our support for our captain by turning the stadium into a sea of red.

“I’d seen the town turned into a sea of red in support of Boro when they’ve wanted people to get behind the team so I thought why not for speedway?

“Havvy is a local lad who went on to become the best in the world and then came back to his local track. Like the song goes: ‘he’s one of our own’.

“We’re all behind him and want him to make a full recovery.”

Charlotte Jackson, 29, from Ingleby Barwick, took part by wearing red.

She said: “Havvy really is Redcar Speedway and has been since the track opened,” she said. “I wanted to show my support for him.”

Fran Lee, 34, from Guisborough added: “It was the worst crash I’ve seen since I’ve been coming. We just want him to know we’re all behind him as he recovers.”

Gary is currently in hospital in Leeds. He underwent a seven-hour operation yesterday.